The long anticipated attack launched by the People’s Liberation Army, the military division of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), on January 6, 1949 was the start of a five month offensive that culminated in Chiang Kai-shek’s departure to Taiwan. After much self-reflection, Chiang privately concluded that “the major reason for this defeat…is that we are in a transitional period where the old system has been abolished but the new system is yet to be built” (400). The Generalissimo also recognized his inability to build an effective organization and lack of party discipline as major factors contributing to the fall of his regime.
This blunt and accurate analysis of the situation is a reflection of Chiang Kai-shek’s experience; his early childhood played a formative role in the rest of his life. As the first born son to a family regarded as part of the “rural elite, Chiang was often described as rebellious, temperamental, and articulate. His early education focused on neo-Confucian values, which emphasized “character development, self-discipline…a sense of duty, courage, honor, and activism” (14). He was married to a nineteen year old when he reached age fourteen.
The marriage stemmed largely from his mother’s desire to have a daughter-in-law to fill the void left by the sudden death of Chiang Kai-shek’s father in 1896. Chiang failed the Civil Service exam in 1903 and subsequently enrolled in the Phoenix Mountain Academy School, a small Confucian focused school. Chiang Kai-shek’s childhood and early adulthood occurred during the turbulent 1900s, influencing his thoughts and views of the world. Chiang’s worldly views were shaped largely by the actions of foreign nations.
The erosion of Chinese sovereignty and territory by foreign nations and the corresponding humiliations fostered Chiang’s many reservations. He consistently proved reluctant to trust foreign nations and was frequently let down by foreign nations. Japan’s victory over Russia in Manchuria in 1905 was stunning to informed Chinese; the defeat was a central influence in Chiang’s pursuit of a military career. The rampage, killing, and looting by foreign nations following the Boxer Rebellion left a negative impression on the then thirteen year old Chiang.
These events, combined with his natural rebelliousness and extensive work with Sun Yat-sen, clarifies why Chiang Kai-shek rose to power as a revolutionary leader of the Kuomintang. Chiang Kai-shek’s early military career occurred during World War I and the fall of the Qing Dynasty; both were momentous events for Chiang and China. The Treaty of Versailles, for example, displeased many Chinese citizens because German treaty ports were transferred directly to Japan.
However, the treaty signaled the beginnings of U. S. support; President Woodrow Wilson advocated for China but was outvoted by European powers. These events shaped Chiang Kai-shek’s thought process and values, which are essential to how Jay Taylor frames his point of view. Taylor, a China desk officer for the U. S. State Department when Chiang Kai-shek died in April 1975, is undoubtedly qualified to author a valid point of view. He has previously authored a biography on Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang’s first born son.
While writing this biography, Taylor realized that Chiang wasn’t “the cardboard figure often portrayed in the west” (1). Taylor was subsequently asked by Harvard University to author a “comprehensive, western biography” on Chiang Kai-shek. The Generalissimo is a comprehensive story of Chiang Kai-shek; no detail is omitted and emphasis is spread over all aspects of his life. Taylor demonstrates high regard for the actions and life of Chiang Kai-shek. Consistently, Taylor praises Chiang’s reactions and thought process to situations he faces throughout his life.
A tone of positivity, which models the “traditionally positive outlook on life” (223) displayed by most Chinese at this time, permeates the majority of the novel. Furthermore, Taylor infuses this positivity with examples of Chiang’s composure and his overarching interest in what was best for mainland China as a whole. In formulating his point of view, Taylor sought to portray Chiang Kai-shek as a highly regarded and positive leader who put the interests of mainland China before his own interests. I agree with Taylor’s presentation of Chiang Kai-shek as a highly regard and positive leader.
However, Chiang’s clear resistance to communism is easy to follow and I believe it influences Taylor’s point of view. Western society has been averse to the spread of Communism since before the Cold War; Taylor’s presentation of Chiang as the man challenging communism as it encroaches on his homeland creates the appearance of a highly regarded leader. I find Taylor’s point of view easy to follow and agree with. However, there are certain biases inherent with writing a western biography about one of the main opponents to communism.
I have some reservations about the finer points of Taylor’s point of view, but I agree with his major thoughts and ideas. Chiang’s interest in serving and protecting mainland China emerges early in his military career. In discussing with officials the options regarding Japan’s encroachment into Manchuria, Chiang put the interests of China above his political interests when “He would not consider the option demanded by his critics of war with Japan because he believed at this time this would be disastrous” (95).
By sacrificing potential political and personal gains, Chiang exemplifies why he is highly regarded; he chooses not to risk the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers in favor of remaining patient and waiting for a more appropriate opportunity. The decision also serves the interests of China by not subjecting Chinese morale to a potential defeat at the hands of the Japanese; a premature attack could have left China vulnerable to additional Japanese attacks and the subsequent consequences. Chiang clearly earned his noble status by putting the interests of China before his personal and political interests.
The hallmark characteristic of Chiang Kai-shek was his composure in the face of adversity. Throughout his life, he faced a myriad of difficult decisions and circumstances and he frequently remained calm and level-headed. Taylor offers high praise for Chiang when he says: “Chiang was the ultimate survivor. While holding to his fundamental principles and sometimes fighting tenaciously against heavy odds when he believed it was necessary, he shrewdly adopted the tactics of compromise, playing for time with his enemies, and with his foreign allies exploiting the weakness of his own regime” (590).
This composure pervaded throughout every decision Chiang Kai-shek made throughout his life. His neo-Confucian upbringing and reservations toward foreign nations shaped him into the leader worthy of Taylor’s high praise. Chiang deftly and skillfully negotiated on behalf of Chinese interests; his calm and composed persona served him well when fighting the countless uphill battles he faced in trying to save mainland China from Communism. Furthermore, Taylor’s laudable praise for Chiang reinforces his point of view regarding Chiang as the stately leader trying to prevent the spread of Communism.
I concur with Taylor’s point of view; I regard Chiang Kai-shek as a noble and positive, if reserved, leader against Communism in mainland China. After reading and analyzing the story of Chiang Kai-shek, I now possess a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese history and China’s relationship with the United States from 1925-1975. The internal struggles and civil wars that surrounded World War II were far more intense than I previously imagined.
I appreciate how the battle of communism versus democracy spread well beyond the Eastern European Theater, where it is more infamously known. Furthermore, Taylor’s insights into Chiang’s thought process surrounding his major decisions shed light on how the nationalist party leader considered all of the options but remained firm in his judgments. The Generalissimo provides a plethora of insights into the life of Chiang Kai-shek while simultaneously explaining the role of outside forces; this dynamic allowed me to acquire a comprehensive understanding of modern Chinese history.
Jay Taylor’s purpose in writing The Generalissimo is to present a comprehensive biography about the late Chinse leader from a western perspective. I believe Taylor succeeded in achieving his purpose. He objectively presents the facts while concurrently portraying Chiang in a positive light due in part to Chiang’s strong anti-Communist views and his willingness to preserver through adversity. The relationship between these two ideas allows Taylor to persuade readers that Chiang was the most suitable leader to resist Communism in mainland China.
I recognize Taylor’s point of view as correct in principle; however, some of the finer details leave me with reservations as to whether Chiang Kai-shek was the noble statesmen Jay Taylor presents him to be. The extensive detail of Chiang Kai-shek’s life forced me to synthesize a considerable amount of information and challenged me intellectually. Taylor imposes his point of view on readers; however, he provides enough information to allow readers to form their own opinions.
No detail is omitted and the constant stream of facts and varying perspectives keeps the reader on edge. There is no shortage of interesting and intellectually challenging moments throughout the life story of Chiang Kai-shek and, consequently, Taylor’s biography provided an exceptional intellectual challenge. Chiang Kai-shek played a momentous role in the formation of modern day China. His distinguished standing as a positive leader who put the interests of China first in the fight against Communism is evident throughout his life.
As I progressed through The Generalissimo, I found myself agreeing with the majority of Taylor’s point of view. Chiang Kai-shek was a highly regarded and positive leader who put the interests of China before his own in his quest to save mainland China from Mao Zedong and the spread of Communism. While I have my own reservations, Taylor does exceedingly well in presenting a clear and primarily objective picture of Chiang Kai-shek. I consider The Generalissimo to be the comprehensive western biography on the life of Chiang Kai-shek.
